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Marek "Ricochet" Zima
He's American with Czech heritage. He goes by Mark outside of his family and close friends, and "Ricochet" when "on the job". He's nearly 30 years old, runs a food truck that launders money for his family, and is a non-sanctioned semi-vigilante with rubber powers.
Marek is part of a unique crime family - they act as the "clean up" of San Padua's underworld. If a criminal or vigilante needs to hide a body or clean up a crime scene, they call the Zimas. Because of this, his family is seen as neutral, boarding on welcomed, almost anywhere in the city. Marek's parents were murdered the summer before his freshman year of high school, targeted by another "family" trying to take over the role of city cleaners. The issue is mostly resolved, as far as the rest of the criminal underworld is concerned, but Marek hasn't forgotten. He was taken in by his uncle, who is now the head of the family, and raised alongside his cousins. The family is surprisingly well adjusted and rather affectionate with both Marek and each other.
Marek has powers of rubber, meaning he can stretch himself and his limbs (which is well known) and that he's immune to the effects of electricity, (which is a closely guarded secret only known to his family). He has a lifetime of fighting experience. He and his family are ruthless and viscous when opposed, but they also follow a strict moral code. They do their best to avoid injuring civilians and go out of their way to protect children.
Marek's had multiple bed partners and enjoys taking a dominant role in the local BDSM scene, but never engages any potential partners without explicit permission and interest shown. Between running his food truck in his "off time" and looking after Cora, though, he hasn't had as much time to relax this way lately. Instead, he's started experimenting with new recipes and cooking techniques. It's not as effective, but it helps him keep his head on straight and gives him another thing besides his food truck that he can talk about to Cora without revealing his criminal identity.
His favorite way to unwind is spending time with Cora, one of his very best friends. They became friends in the first year of high school, when Marek's grief over his parents was still fresh and he was barely able to go through the motions of adjusting to the new school he had to attend since moving in with his uncle. Cora's family had just moved to the area, and she recognized that he was a fellow new student, taking it upon herself to help him keep track of homework and assignments, while helping to deflect any bullying. Her unconditional support, her seamless addition to the friendship he already had with Jai, and her complete lack of ties to anything in San Padua's underworld were a lifeline in those days and earned Marek's intense loyalty.
Marek and Cora share a unique dynamic - their friendship isn't romantic or sexual, but platonic in an intense, intimate way that confuses anyone who doesn't know them well. It also includes dominant/submissive aspects that sometimes lean toward codependency. Cora can get overwhelmed when particularly stressed or tired, and while Marek hates seeing her distressed, he relishes that she turns to him to protect and guide her when she's vulnerable like this. He's hyper-aware of of the power she hands to him and of her instinctive obedience to the lower, rougher registers of his voice, too. He's incredibly careful to never abuse his position, only ever making decisions and giving instructions to her that will keep her healthy and happy.
He's never revealed his powers or his criminal ties to her, partly out of fear of never seeing her again, but also out of a desire to keep a small piece of something normal in the chaotic and dangerous world he lives in. He's very close to Cora's parents and two little brothers, as well, though they aren't aware of Marek's other life, either.
Marek's other best friend is Jai Leo, the first-generation son of Lao immigrants, and he's the closest thing Marek has to a brother. Jai's father was the best friend and right-hand man of Marek's father, roles the two sons have also taken on. Jai has become Marek's trusted sounding board over the years, always willing to listen to Marek's thoughts and ideas and give his opinion bluntly, and loudly, if needed. Jai started a fan page for Ricochet as a joke, but it's developed such a large and passionate fan base, that he manages the group full time now and has found ways to start monetizing it. Marek is vaguely uncomfortable with this, but tolerates it and Jai's teasing about the whole situation with good humor.
Marek lives in a nice apartment deep in his family's territory with Jai as a roommate. The apartment in general is decorated in a combination of rich brown woods with dark metals to compliment. Marek's room continues to use rich, dark woods, but also includes deep blues and a medium to lighter grey color. He has bookshelves covering any available wall space, filled with a combination of cookbooks, family albums, and the detailed journals he keeps.
Marek enjoys cooking, especially for the people he's close to. His mother was also a skilled cook, and her recipe books are his most treasures items. Food is a form of affection for him. He'll go out of his way to learn the favorite recipes of those he cares about and will refuse to cook for people who have genuinely upset him.
Only a Jai and Marek's closest cousins know this, but Marek wants to get revenge on his parents' murders by becoming the next bank for the city's criminal underworld. He already owns a food truck, which he uses to launder the money his family receives as payment, but he dreams of becoming a powerful enough force to be able to punish the criminals who killed his parents and have no one oppose him.
Marek is terrified of deep water. He can handle standing in water as high as his hips, but he doesn't know how to swim, and won't go any deeper. The memory isn't clear, but he nearly drowned as a toddler in a pool accident.
Marek has strong, violent feelings about anyone who takes advantage of others sexually, especially if they're stronger or more powerful than their victims. He's gotten into fights with his family in the past because he refuses to let such actions go unpunished once he finds out about them, no matter who they are.
Marek's uncle and cousins know about his deep friendship with Cora and have welcomed her into their family as well. As far as San Padua's criminal underworld is concerned, Cora and her family are part of the Zima family's territory and are under their protection. This leads to complications sometimes, because of her clerical job at the Sanctioned Supers Division, but it's a topic everyone has long adapted to.
IM GONNA CRY THIS ISNT FAIRRRRRR THEYRE BOTH SO GOODDDD
I’m gonna physically implode if I don’t peruse at lease one of my interests. Like, what do you MEAN I like so many things at once that I just do none of them???